News

Criteria for New Medal Announced

10/15/2014

AFA Caption

Graphic of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations
Service Medal. Air Force image.

BodyText

The
Air Force last week announced the criteria for the new Nuclear Deterrence
Operations Service Medal, which Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James approved
in late May in an effort to acknowledge and help retain high-caliber airmen
in the nuclear mission. Airmen who were assigned, deployed, or mobilized on a
nuclear mission to a wing, center, or below for 120 consecutive days or 179
nonconsecutive days are eligible to receive the award, retroactive to Dec. 27,
1991, according to a release.
“This service medal provides a clearly visible way to recognize the dedication
and professionalism of our airmen who are the guardians of our nation’s nuclear
deterrence. Because of our success, often times nuclear deterrence operations
can be overlooked as a critical function,” said Col. Zannis Pappas, the missile
operations career field manager. “The medal acknowledges the special challenges
faced by those airmen charged with supporting the nuclear enterprise and will
be a point of pride by all who wear it.” The medal is expected to be available
in March 2015. Nominations for current airmen are to be processed through the
normal chain of command. Retired or separated airmen and families of deceased
airmen can submit requests to the Air Force Personnel Center, states the
release.